Rain havoc

Rain generally brings happiness, but in most cities of Pakistan, especially in Karachi, it brings trouble and misery. The story of havoc caused by rain is being repeated year after year. In Karachi on Thursday afternoon, it rained for hardly around half an hour but water inundated roads and streets, and in low-lying, low-income areas water entered houses damaging valuables beyond repair. The tall claims by the authorities of repairing the drainage system was once again exposed as rainwater accumulated on important arteries in the city, especially in district Central, causing immense problems to commuters as they had to struggle with their vehicles stuck in the water. Some people left them abandoned and took a walk to their destinations. Many others too waded through dangerously deep water. These localities presented a scene of chaos, confusion and helplessness. Rainwater accumulated around and inside a prominent government hospital in the district too, making it difficult for patients, their attendants and doctors to enter the medical facility.

Electricity went off in many areas as soon as the rain started and power was restored after several hours. These localities had also suffered the usual intermittent daily power cuts before the rain. K-Electric shut power supply in many areas to prevent electrocution. It was a wise step. The power utility mentioned kundas as an important reason for the electricity shutdown. This is hard to believe as now cable has replaced wire in most areas. It is not possible to get kunda connection from cables. The exaggerated wordy language used in the K-Electric press statement (Some areas were temporarily powered off out of an abundance of caution…) seems to have been made wordy on purpose. While people suffered great difficulties in the wake of the short spell of rain, politicians availed the opportunity to pull up their opponents. The KMC administrator blamed the ‘faulty design’ of the Green Line bus project structure for the accumulation of rainwater. Politicians seem to be passing from a state of incompetence to one of imbecility.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2021.

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